Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has proposed a constitutional amendment to institute a single term of five or six years for elected political office holders across Nigeria, arguing that the current system of two four-year terms creates unnecessary distractions and hinders focused governance.
Governor Makinde made this call during a Sallah homage visit by a delegation of Muslim faithful—including clerics, political leaders, and traditional rulers—at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan. The visit followed the Eid-el-Kabir prayers held at Agodi Eid Ground.
The delegation was led by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal and included prominent figures such as former Governor Senator Rashidi Ladoja, ex-Deputy Governor Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawodu Makanjuola.
Makinde, who is currently in his second term, congratulated the Muslim community on the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration and thanked them for their consistent prayers and support over the past six years.
“I have spent six years already and, due to no fault of anybody, we lost almost an entire year to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the governor noted.
“We also lost another year to electioneering for the second term. Now, distractions have begun again with talks of what comes next after this tenure.”
Makinde said that under the current structure, leaders often only have about five effective years to implement their vision out of the total eight years permitted. He asserted that a single-term model—free from the burden of re-election campaigns—would allow leaders to focus squarely on delivering results.
“A single term of five or six years will remove the distractions of re-election politics and allow leaders to stay focused on governance,” he added.
He further acknowledged that the idea has been floated before in national discourse and encouraged broader public engagement and legislative consideration.
“This is a constitutional matter. It has been discussed at the National Assembly, but I believe it deserves more attention. We must not shy away from frank conversations rooted in facts and data,” he said.
In his goodwill message on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Oba Ladoja called for continued support for the Makinde-led administration and offered prayers for its success.
Deputy Governor Lawal, in his address to the Muslim community, emphasized the virtues of obedience, sacrifice, and trust as enshrined in Islamic teachings, urging citizens to embody these values in their daily lives.
He also commended Governor Makinde for his unwavering commitment to citizen welfare, particularly through the consistent payment of salaries and pensions.
Also speaking, Islamic scholar Professor Kamil Oloso offered special prayers for the governor and expressed the community’s appreciation for his enduring support for religious harmony and development in the state.
As constitutional reform continues to be a recurring topic in Nigeria’s political landscape, Governor Makinde’s proposal could potentially reignite national debate over how best to structure governance for optimal performance and accountability.
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